More surprising revelations about Ben Roethlisberger, from ex-teammates.

huevonkiller · Apr 26, 2010

Roethlisberger wasn't a popular Steeler, even before all this

By MJD

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Some former Pittsburgh Steelers teammates are kicking Ben Roethlisberger(notes) while he's down, telling ESPN that Roethlisberger wasn't well-liked in the locker room while they were there.

Kelly Naqi did a story for ESPN's "Outside the Lines" this weekend, focusing on Roethlisberger's image and reputation. She talked to former Steelers running back Najeh Davenport(notes), former Steelers safety about Mike Logan(notes), and some other people around the area. Here are some of the highlights.

• Davenport estimated that about 60 percent of the locker room felt like Roethlisberger thought he was "bigger than the team," and not focused on winning.

• Davenport also discussed a time when Joey Porter(notes) called out Roethlisberger in a team meeting for being the last one in to practice and the first one to leave. Porter also accused Roethlisberger of not being dedicated to the team, and criticized him for not fraternizing with his teammates.

• Mike Logan confirmed the incident where Porter addressed Roethlisberger, and said that all the things Porter mentioned were already being talked about in the locker room.

• Someone identified only as "a close friend of a Steelers player" said that the reason Roethlisberger had a bodyguard was because of an incident where a man put a gun to Roethlisberger's head because Roethlisberger was involved with the man's girlfriend.

• Naqi spoke with people who work at Pittsburgh bars and nightclubs, and they described Ben as someone who was condescending to the staffs and rude to other customers. One bar owner said Roethlisberger always expected he and his entourage to be given free food and drinks.

Roethlisberger wouldn't talk to ESPN for the story, and neither would Joey Porter. Roethlisberger did release a statement today about his suspension, though, apologizing to his teammates and fans and vowing to comply with the terms of the suspension.

This is the kind of report that wouldn't ever see the light of day if there weren't some other dastardly story about the guy. That's not to say that it isn't true -- Kelly Naqi's a fine reporter -- but is it a big deal? Should we care?

After all, no one said anything about Roethlisberger-related locker room troubles when the Steelers were winning Super Bowls. Maybe this is just a mountain-out-of-a-molehill thing that surfaces now, because it's convenient and fits the "Roethlisberger as dirtball" narrative.

If there's any practical issue here, I think it's this: If Roethlisberger has to mend some fences in the Steelers locker room, perhaps it'll be even tougher than expected. If someone didn't like him before the sexual assault allegations, it's hard to imagine they'll warm up to the guy now, no matter what he does.

We'll just have to wait and see how that plays out. Locker rooms have been divided over less.
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http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/sh...sn-t-a-popular-Steeler-even-be?urn=nfl,236615

44Thrilla · Apr 26, 2010

He still has more rings than Peyton Mannong.

huevonkiller · Apr 26, 2010

And Peyton has more Superbowl MVPs and post-season numbers. ;]

He's not even the best QB out of his draft class.

MikeDC · Apr 26, 2010

I can't believe that nobody has recalled Najeh Davenport was the guy who broke into some girl's dorm room and pooped in her closet. So he's talking shit (heh) about his old teammate? You stay classy, Najeh Davenport!

huevonkiller · Apr 26, 2010

After joining the Packers, Davenport was given the nickname "Deuce". With the Steelers, Davenport was given the nicknames "Dookie"and "The Dump Truck,"all are plays on the Barry University incident.
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Najeh_Davenport#Legal_troubles

huevonkiller · Apr 26, 2010

I found another article, with a link to the police report.

Some vulgar language so be aware of that before reading.

Now we know exactly what Roethlisberger was accused of doing that night: straight up, unprotected sex. Let's dig right in to the sordid details, shall we?

Since no charges will be brought, the investigation records become public; The Smoking Gun has 572 pages of them. Included are witness statements from those present in the bar, including the victim and her friends. Among the highlights:

•The encounter lasted about ten minutes, beginning from when Roethlisberger entered the back area "with his penis already out of his pants." The alleged victim repeatedly told him she didn't want to have sex, but he kept reassuring her, as they had unprotected sex. She told her friends immediately after, and they reported it to the first police officer they saw.

•According to her friend, both the girl and Roethlisberger were "noticeably intoxicated". His bodyguards "dragged" the victim to the back, and he followed two minutes later. When her friends approached the bar manager to unlock the bathroom door, he told them "Ben's an NFL quarterback, he won't do anything to ruin his reputation."

•The alleged victim had met up with Roethlisberger earlier in the night at another bar, where he called her and her sorority sisters "a tease." They ran into him again at Capital City, where the back room was roped off to everyone but Roethlisberger and "10 to 15 girls." One of her friends told police afterwards that she thought the whole thing was a "set-up," and that Roethlisberger had selected the alleged victim earlier in the evening.

•The alleged victim was wearing a nametag labeled "DTF" When asked, she said it stood for "down to fuck." Roethlisberger replied, "I'm not down to fuck, but I like to fuck girls."

•One of the girls in the group left the bar angrily after Roethlisberger purchased a round of drinks, saying "all my bitches, take some shots."

•Roethlisberger's bodyguards were deleting photos from people's cameras and phones that depicted Roethlisberger drinking.

•When they got home, one of Roethlisberger's friends asked him what had happened in the bathroom. Roethlisberger told him nothing had happened, and that they were just "messing around." He said that she had slipped, and once he had helped her up, he told her they were not going to continue.

•On March 17, 12 days after the incident, a lawyer for the woman requested that the rape probe be dropped, because "a criminal trial would be a very intrusive experience."

So there you have it. By avoiding charges, Roethlisberger escaped potential jail time. But he didn't escape having the sleazy details of his night in Milledgeville splashed all over, for everyone to judge.

Send an email to Barry Petchesky, the author of this post, at barryp@deadspin.com.
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http://deadspin.com/5518136/the-roethlisberger-documents-his-penis-was-already-out-of-his-pants

DP · Apr 27, 2010

This crap about Ben needs to get the hell out of my news. I don't care, drop his ass..

huevonkiller · Apr 27, 2010

He sounds like a keeper.

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More surprising revelations about Ben Roethlisberger, from ex-teammates.

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